This 2025, the greatest motorsport festival celebrates 10 years since its return to Mexico. It will be the first edition of the Mexican Grand Prix that will not have the presence of Sergio “Checo” Pérez after his departure from Red Bull. Meanwhile, Patricio O’Ward will participate in the first practice with McLaren.
Mexico City, October 24 (However).- Charles Leclercfrom the Ferrari team, was the fastest driver in the first free practice session of the Mexican Grand Prixthe twentieth race of the season which is held in the Hermanos Rodríguez Autodrome. The Monegasque finished in first position with a time of 1:18.380, followed by the Italian Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes with 1:18.487. Third place went to the German Nico Hülkenberg of Sauber with 1:18.760.
McLaren’s Australian Oscar Piastri, who leads the Formula 1 drivers’ championship, finished this first practice session in fourth position. Meanwhile, the Mexican Patricio O’Ward who participated in the test with the current constructors’ champions aboard Lando Norris’ car, finished in 13th place.
Charles Leclerc is fastest in FP1 👏
Here’s our top-three from first practice in Mexico 🇲🇽⤵️#F1 #MexicoGP pic.twitter.com/MPgEL6e1FW
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 24, 2025
The dispute for the F1 drivers’ championship arrives more heated than ever in Mexico. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, the British Lando Norris and the Australian Oscar Piastri are seeking the same goal: the Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship, which is still in dispute with only five races remaining.
McLaren has already secured its second consecutive World Constructors’ Championship title, and looked
It was only a matter of time before the Pilots team arrived too. But McLaren’s rules, which allow its drivers to compete freely, have put the team under increasing pressure.
Pato is definitely dressed to impress! 🤩🙌#F1 #MexicoGP @PatricioOWard pic.twitter.com/1haXgfcupM
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 24, 2025
The victory in Austin means Verstappen’s Red Bull has won three of the last four races; He has reduced the gap with the championship leader, Piastri, to 40 points, and is now only 26 points away from Norris.
Clashes between the two McLaren drivers in Singapore and again in the Texas Sprint race have raised tensions, and Verstappen now has a real chance of claiming his fifth consecutive World Drivers’ Championship title, with the McLaren men nervously watching on both shoulders.
Although it is the first day of activities for the Mexican Grand Prix, thousands of motor sports fans arrived from the early hours of this Friday to enjoy the Formula 1 spectacle.
The second practice session will take place this day sharply at 4:00 p.m.